The event was started during the recession in the 1980s by Larry Mizel, chairman and CEO of M.D.C. Holdings, the parent parent company of Richmond American Homes, and Pueblo native Frances Koncilija, a Denver attorney. Kids were going to the State Fair to compete, but few were buying their livestock. Since its inception 24 years ago, the Denver Rustlers have raised more than $2 million for the fair’s Junior Livestock Sale, supporting young Coloradans as they showcase their livestock to earn money for college.

After a lunch at Del Frisco’s in Greenwood Village today, the Rustlers headed to Pueblo.

State Sen. Owen Hill is running for the U.S. Senate and says Democrat Mark Udall believes he is the best Republican in the race.

State Rep. Dan Nordberg confirmed today that he indeed was Owen Hill’s inside source who said Hill is the Republican challenger U.S. Sen. Mark Udall fears the most.

Owen Hill, a rookie state senator who is taking on Udall in 2014, took ribbing for his comments that a “well-respected member” of the legislature and a source inside Udall’s operation told him about Udall’s concerns.

Hill later identified Nordberg as his source, but Nordberg was unavailable for comment at the time. I ran into Nordberg, a Colorado Springs Republican who once worked for U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, today at the Denver Rustlers luncheon.

“When talking to everyone at the Capitol this past session about Owen Hill and the job he did as a new freshman and the new energy he brings,” Nordberg said, “he has the rare ability to bring a new dynamic for our party and actually appeal to a cross section of voters we need to win statewide races.”

Colorado’s Congressional delegation pushed President Barack Obama Tuesday to explain his plan to the American people on how he will respond in Syria after the country’s alleged use of chemical weapons against rebels last week.

Americans are “understandably reluctant to support further military engagement,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Udall. “The president needs to explain his plan.”

Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, said if members needed to return to Washington to approve military action, “then so be it.”

Congress is adjourned until Sept. 9 for a five-week recess.

“President Obama must not act unilaterally,” Gardner said.

Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, said he wouldn’t support extended involvement since the United States is not “in danger of an imminent attack.”

“I will support the president should he conduct a limited strike on Syria in order to deter (Syrian President) Assad from further use of chemical weapons, but I would not support involvement beyond that because this is an intractable sectarian struggle,” Coffman said.

Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, said through a spokesman “we must be careful and measured” in a response “due to the enormous challenges in the region and the complexity of the situation.”

Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, encouraged the president “to fulfill his obligation to consult with Congress before authorizing the use of military force and explain the reasons for proposed actions to the American people.”

Rep. Diana DeGette, a Demver Democrat, called the use of chemical weapons “abhorrent” and said the United States needed to work with its allies to “figure out the appropriate response and I think that’s what the White House is doing right now,” she said. “I’m waiting to see what the Obama administration is going to come up with on something that would be appropriate in this situation.”

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey’s office created a nearly 9-minute video of 12 marijuana-related homicides, backing up a claim that he made in a meeting.

Morrissey in July told a Denver City Council committee that marijuana is directly connected to 12 homicides in the metro area, adding that he believes his office will be faced with more criminal cases after retail marijuana is legalized.

Mitch Morrissey, Denver district attorney, released video backing up his claims that 12 people connected to medical marijuana have been killed since 2000.

Morrissey couldn’t immediately recite the homicides, none of which occurred at a legally licensed dispensary. But he did name several cases that allegedly involved people selling marijuana out of their homes.

The video that his office created showed photos of 10 of the 12 people killed. All of those who were killed were either medical marijuana care-providers, in the presence of medical marijuana care-providers or attempting to rob the care-providers, according to the video.

Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, and Alan Salazar, political director for Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, at the annual Denver Rustlers luncheon today in Greenwood Village. (Doesn’t this picture just beg for a cutline contest about redistricting?) (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Denver City Council President Mary Beth Susman and former Councilwoman Marcia Johnson at the Denver Rustlers luncheon. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Nothing says Denver Rustlers like a Rockmount Ranch shirt, a cowboy hat and a collection of Colorado civic and business leaders, who gathered today for their annual trek to the Colorado State Fair to bid on livestock shown by young farmers and ranchers.

The event kicked off with lunch at Del Frisco’s restaurant, with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and even Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in attendance. Members of Congress, various city council members, state lawmakers and business folks also were present.

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Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, says shutting down the government would be better than funding the new federal health care law.

Rep. Doug Lamborn was among 80 House conservatives who signed onto a letter late last week saying an autumn government shutdown would be better than funding the new federal government health care law.

Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, said through his spokeswoman Tuesday that his constituents “overwhelmingly” say they don’t want Obamacare and want it de-funded — at any expense.

“Millions of Americans are in danger of losing their current healthcare benefits, seeing huge increases to their premiums, or forced to pay for insurance they either don’t want or don’t need,” said spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen. “Congressman Lamborn maintains that ObamaCare is a train wreck that must be stopped.”

Two major budget issues will have to be tackled when Congress returns from its five-week recess Sept. 9. The current fiscal year ends Sept. 30 and new money must be appropriated to keep the federal government open. In addition, the United States will reach its borrowing limit at some point in October and it will take Congressional approval to increase the nation’s debt ceiling.

Republican Bernie Herpin is getting a taste of his own medicine: He faces a campaign finance complaint over his campaign literature in the recall of Senate President John Morse, a Colorado Springs Democrat.

Herpin and other Senate District 11 residents who want Morse recalled in a special Sept. 10 election because of his support for gun control have made much of the fact that Morse was the subject of two ethics complaints, but they aren’t telling voters the whole story. But as Herpin will find out, once complaints have been filed they sometimes have a life of their own.

“This frivolous complaint is another desperate attempt to distract voters from John Morse’s repeated ethics problems and failed record,” Herpin said. “This frivolous complaint is laughable on its face.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.